Leadership
Information related to North Korea’s leadership and leadership structures
Yong Ja Hong: How sports and athletics play into North Korean statecraft
North Korea researcher discusses the history of sports in the DPRK and how politics plays a role in its popularity
January 1, 2026
Kim Jong Un’s vague New Year’s speech bucks clarity to avoid costly commitments
Articulating detailed foreign policy would lock Pyongyang into a specific framing at a moment when conditions are fluid
January 1, 2026
Lee Jae Myung frames peace with North Korea as key to long-term economic growth
In New Year’s address, South Korean leader vows to support US-DPRK dialogue and work to ease inter-Korean tensions
January 1, 2026
Kim Jong Un ushers in new year with greetings to North Korean troops in Russia
Leader hails troops for deepening the ‘combat-forged friendship’ with Moscow on the battlefield
January 1, 2026
Kim Yo Jong receives a portrait of herself as a New Year’s gift from Russia
Russian spokesperson sends work by Kremlin-linked artist who previously painted portrait given to Donald Trump
December 31, 2025
South Korea to allow citizens to read North Korean newspaper at select locations
Unification ministry also confirms plans to stop using term ‘defectors,’ despite opposition from some escapees
December 30, 2025
New Year’s in North Korea and a ‘nuclear’ submarine on Christmas Day
NK News’ Jeongmin Kim discusses how Kim Jong Un could lay out his priorities for 2026 on New Year’s Day
December 30, 2025
North Korea says it has completed ‘rural revolution’ construction goals for 2025
Kim Jong Un opens last hospital and factories of year under sprawling 20x10 project, months faster than in 2024
December 30, 2025
North Korea debuts new launcher for nuclear missiles aimed at South Korea
Kim Jong Un visits factory making new launch vehicle for 600mm MLRS, calling it the military’s ‘main strike’ capability
December 30, 2025
North Korea celebrates Constitution Day, removes ‘Socialist’ from holiday name
Leader Kim Jong Un leads oath-taking ceremony as part of efforts to formalize legal system around his rule
December 29, 2025
